The pharmacowogicaw properties of ergot were known and had been utiwised by midwives for centuries, but were not doroughwy researched and pubwicised untiw de earwy 20f century. However, its abortifacient effects and de danger of ergotism meant dat it was onwy prescribed cautiouswy, as in de treatment of postpartum haemorrhage.[12]

Ergometrine was first isowated and obtained by de chemists C Moir and H W Dudwey in 1935.[13] Carowine De Costa has argued dat de adoption of ergometrine for preventative use and for treating bweeding contributed to de decwine in de maternaw mortawity rate in much of de West during de earwy 20f century.[12]